Playing the lead in The Book of Mormon proved Josh Gad had a great set of pipes. Now he’s going to put them through the ringer as the late screaming comedian Sam Kinison.

Gad will play the lead in Kinison, a biopic helmed by Borat, Bruno and Seinfeld director Larry Charles. Based on the book Brother Sam by Kinison’s brother, Bill Kinison, the script was adapted by Rich Wilkes (xXx, Airheads). Read More »

I wasn’t planning to write about Gallery1988’s first annual “Is This Thing On” art show as it really has little connection to movies or television (or so I thought… the above piece featuring Judd Apatow mashed-up with the infamous Star Trek Tribbles episode is a fine example of this). The show, co-sponsored by FunnyOrDie, features over 100 artists, each creating pieces that are portraits of their favorite funny people, both beloved comics of yesteryear and emerging superstars.

Did you know that Alan Alda, Al Pacino, Eddie Muphy, Nicolas Cage, Prince, Bill Cosby, and Robin Williams auditioned for Back to the Future? No? Me neither. Probably because it didn’t happen. However, Saturday Night Live “uncovered” a set of never before released screen tests and premiered them on this weekend’s edition of the show. Gotta love Bill Hader as Al Pacino trying to deliver the classic “1.21 Gigawats” line. Hit the jump to watch them now.

The upcoming Sam Kinisonbiopic Brother Sam has been written by American Splendor‘s Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, and stars Dan Fogler in the lead role. Judging from Fogler’s turns in Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck and School for Scoundrels, that’s a two steps forward, one step backward scenario by my reckoning. Factor in that Ace Venura and Patch Adams perpetrator Tom Shadyac is directing, and we’re back at square one.

What might calm my nerves is some indication that when cut free from such insultingly puerile material, Fogler can rise above his scabrous record and actually draw me into a film, not repel me from it. Film School Rejects today found that wondrous thing – Fogler’s screen test as Kinison, as uploaded to YouTube. See the video below the break.

HBO has announced that Evan Almighty director Tom Shadyac will helm television movie about comic Sam Kinison. And who will play the great manic comic? Dan Fogler. You probably know him as the annoying fat guy they hire when they can’t afford Jack Black or Jonah Hill. That said, he has an uncanny resemblance to a young Kinison. The film will be based on Brother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison, a memoir written by Sam’s brother and manager Bill Kinison. The official description for the book reads:

“A brother recalls the excessive and flamboyant life of the late comedian who died in an April 1992 car crash, portraying Kinison’s checkered early years, his road to fame and fortune, and his personal struggles.”

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the writer/directors of American Splendor, have penned the teleplay adaptation. I would have much rather seen Berman and Pulcini direct. Shadyac was responsible for the launch of Jim Carrey’s movie career (Ace Ventura, Liar Liar), but hasn’t produced a good movie in the last decade. Years ago, Howard Stern in talks to develop a film based on comic Kinison’s life, but for one reason or another, it never gained momentum.